Award Date

Spring 5-2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

Advisor 1

Robin Hickman

First Committee Member

Merrill Landers

Second Committee Member

Kai-Yu Ho

Number of Pages

33

Abstract

While cerebral palsy remains one of the most common childhood disabilities, clinicians continue to face significant challenges developing effective treatment strategies for the widely variable presentation of motor function impairments associated with cerebral palsy. A large gap exists between current research based evidence and feasible clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel intervention protocol, explore the theoretical framework behind the protocol and provide insight to clinicians about the successes and challenges faced while pilot testing the intervention. The novel intervention was adapted and implemented by researchers combining a large amplitude movement protocol with the well-researched concepts of task specific, goal oriented and high intensity practice. A previous feasibility study conducted on the large amplitude movement protocol showed subjects demonstrating improvements in multiple gait characteristics and mobility. While data were collected during this study, it will be reported separately to allow this paper to focus on the theoretical framework of the intervention and the clinical implications of the intervention. The discussion of the successes and challenges faced by researchers during the implementation of the protocol give guidance for clinical adaptation of the protocol as well as direction for future studies.

Keywords

Pediatrics; Physical Therapy

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

553 Kb

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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